ODIN: Phottix's New ETTL Wireless Flash Trigger For Canon - FIRST REVIEW!

Hi All,

Just super excited to give you a review on the soon to be released ETTL wireless radio triggers from Phottix - called Odin.  I will be doing a range test and a few other details in another post in the near future.  All photos at the exhibition were taken with a Canon 7D and a 18-135mm stock lens.

Here are pictures of the Odin Canon ETTL speedlight triggering system....



More after the jump....

2011 Mitsubishi Galloper 3.8 GLS: My Shiny New Horse!

Hi Folks!

Just wanted to post a picture of my new ride.  I am really proud of this new car.  This is the first vehicle the I drove out of the showroom back in February, 2011.  Why do I call it my 'New Horse'?  Well, my old vehicle is a Hyundai Galloper.  While I love my new car and enjoy the comforts and luxuries it affords me, I miss the rough, rugged and beaten up Galloper.  That car has taken me to hell and back...and is still running.  What did I do with it?  Well, my wife is driving it around now!

Check out my strobist style pic...featuring - Moi! after the jump....

Abu Dhabi - Yas Marina Circuit (Porsche GT3 Cup + Radicals)

Hi All!!

Just thought I'd start updating my blog with some more regularity.  To kick things off, I am posting some action photos that I took at Yas Marina Circuit in Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.  Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and is located about an hour and a half drive away from Dubai.

Please give me a 'heads-up' on what you think of the photos (critiques welcome).  So here goes.....

Phottix Atlas (Update): Go For Launch!

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)

Firstly I need to thank a few of my inspirations....mainly on account of them opening my eyes to off camera flash techniques....
Joe McNally
The Strobist (aka David Hobby)
Zack 'One Light' Arias
Gulf Photo Plus (I am where I am because of you)!

I hope you all check out the links above.  Great source of inspiration, resources and instruction!

NOW...to move on....
As you know, I recently reviewed (part 1, part 2 & part 3) the Phottix Atlas & compared it to the PocketWizard Plus II.

In my second post, under 'CONS & QUIRKS', I mention:
"Random triggering of the speedlite (on its own) causing the flash to go off..."

Well, this was noted by the good folks at Phottix and informed me (shortly before the official launch) that this issue was rectified and the current product was shipping with this issue resolved.  I therefore purchased 4 units of the (new) Phottix Atlas.

The package arrived late June, 2010.

More....(pictures of the desert around Dubai if you want to see it)... POST JUMPUS .....

Phottix Atlas (Wireless Radio Triggers) LAUNCHED !!!

Hello Everybody,

Just a quick update to my 3 part review of the PHOTTIX ATLAS wireless radio trigger.....They are now officially LAUNCHED.

Update: Also please take a look at Taiwan based Craig Ferguon's video review of the Atlas.

Take a look at this challenger to the gods (Atlas of Greek Mythology) where in this case the GODS are PocketWizard.


This is indeed good news for all photographers.


Charles

NOTE: This is mainly to all my photographer readers/viewers/commentators across theglobe.  I am not able to access flickr, here in Dubai.  It is deemed by the local authorities in the United Arab Emirates to fall under the "Prohibited Content Category".  I was earlier able to do so, but for now am not.  Therefore I cannot access, see images and/or even post the site.  Anyone with suggested (ahem, ahem) work arounds....please sound off.  I have tried 'H.tSp.tshi.ld'.

A Shout From Seattle - Zack Arias' Conversation With Chase Jarvis

I would like to humbly say that I am proud to have met, gotten to know & assisted (local assistant in Dubai's Gulf Photo Plus 2010) Zack Arias. I met him last year at Gulf Photo Plus 2009.

Zack Arias (of the One Light Workshop fame) is a wonderful person and has an unlimited well of street knowledge of photography. While, I'm sure he doesn't know it all (and who does???), he is one of the best teachers I've encountered in my photographic journey to date. If I would say that I aspire to be him, I would be doing injustice to what he is about. I will then say this, I wish to only emulate his thinking; share his zest for photography; stand out like he does THROUGH his work.

More after the teleport....

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Long Range Testing) - Part 3 of 3)

This is Part 3/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II...

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

OK...so it has been longer than anticipated to post the final part of this review as I had a roll of assignments here in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

I actually got the opportunity to cover the launch of the Ferrari California at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi...sorry, I feel that I am allowed a little bit of excitement over this lovely car.  I also covered an exhibition (Automechanika) for AC Delco at the Dubai World Trade Centre, a friend's family portraits and a 'soon to be open' hotel in Abu Dhabi.  The reason I mention all of them is on account of me using the Phottix Atlas for all of them as my primary wireless radio triggers.  I say primary because on the Ferrari & hotel job I had to use my PocketWizards for additional strobes. More after the jump....

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing) - Part 2 of 3)

This is Part 2/3 of my review of the Phottix Atlas and it's comparison to the PocketWizard Plus II...

Check out Post 1/3 (Introduction To Phottix Atlas)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

OK! So folks settle in for a product description (the best that I can come up with anyway) and a demo of the short range wireless triggering capabilities of this device. I compare it with the PocketWizard Plus II since it is the closest in comparison.

I think that this is a product that deserves it's day in the sun.

PHOTTIX ATLAS

I had swapped out my not so good Tetra set for the (soon to be released) Phottix Atlas transceivers. Now, don't think I'm cutting down the Tetra's. It's just that I was so impressed with the Atlas, that all else faded by visual comparison (Plus II included !!). The Atlas seemed (not sure that it is) heavier. The first time I put this wireless trigger in my hand, it felt good...it felt solid, and had a proper finish to it.

Clash Of The Titans - Phottix Atlas vs PocketWizard Plus II (Intro - Part 1 of 3)

Check out Post 2/3 (Product Showcase & Short Range Testing)
Check out Post 3/3 (Long Range Testing)
Check out Post On The Update (Random Triggering Fixed)

Atlas , from mythology was a Titan who dared go up against Zeus and forced to hold up the celestial spheres (the sky) from the western edge of Gaia (the Earth) as punishment. He is also known as Atlas Telamon or "Enduring Atlas".

"What has that got to do with photography?" you ask.

Well this......



...The PHOTTIX ATLAS !!

...an alternative to the current industry standard and reliable PocketWizard (Plus II)....how about also adding the fact that it is almost a third of the price !!!

PocketWizard was & still is the king of the wireless heaven. But is Zeus ready to dish out wrath against the little known Titan who dare stand up to him and pose a genuine threat to his position on Olympus?

I review the newly (well actually, not yet) released Phottix Atlas and give it a head-to-head with the PocketWizard Plus II. This post will be about the my introduction to the Atlas and how I came to acquire it. The second post will be about the features and direct comparison of the Atlas to it's direct competitor, the PocketWizard Plus II. This post will also contain a quick short range wireless trigger test. I hope to then conclude with part three (coming soon) with a long range test and a few other closing remarks.

OK, now to set the stage for this Clash Of The Titans:

Strobist Boot Camp II - Assignment 1 (The Head Shot)

OK...so it's on!

The first Strobist Boot Camp II assignment is up on the Strobist website. A simple head shot along with a self portrait taken in the same setting (rules apply). Access the site for more details.

Winner gets:

• One Speedlight Pro Kit (more info)

• One Strobist Lighting Seminar 8-DVD boxed set (more info)

• One set of Strobist Trade Secret Cards (more info)

Deadline is June 23, 2009 (your local time)

By the way...for all you folks registering in the UAE (or anywhere else where flickr is banned), please take a look at the following link to Access Flickr! 1.11.

Hope to see your pictures there!!!

Ciao

Charles

Strobist Boot Camp II - Starts June 10 2009

Hi Folks!

Just in case you haven't heard, David Hobby (aka Strobist) is back in action and kicking our butts into shape! Yet another Boot Camp!! Woohoo!

The Strobist will be providing a series of 4 exercises/assignments with a few set of rules and with some wonderful prizes (shipped anywhere in the world). Assignments will cover four areas of flash photography. Open to anyone, this is a wonderful opportunity for any budding photographer to showcase his/her abilities (new or grizzled) in a (very) public platform.

So come on folks....get those cameras cleaned, batteries charged, strobes off camera and memory cards wiped clean!!

Strobist Boot Camp II - Starts June 10 2009

Going The Strobist Way

Ever since I was introduced to David Hobby (aka Strobist) via Gulf Photo Plus (GPP) last year, I have been experimenting on and off with off-camera flash lighting techniques. The results always inspire me. Now, I'm not saying that my results are good or unique, but I always feel that I am taking one more step in the right direction.

After this years GPP '09 event I was yet again inspired to try out these techniques once again. While attending one of the Dubai Strobist events, I happened to come across a burned down warehouse. Not really sure what caused the blaze but, I wonder if it had anything to do with insurance as are quite a few blazes rumoured to be caused by here in the UAE. Anyway, I scooped out these 'spaces' that had the right mood and ambiance for a strobist style shoot.

A few weeks later I visited this place with my wife on the way back from a weekend outing. I convinced my wife to pose for me. 'Convinced' (though she loves to be in front of the camera), because she felt that I hadn't given her sufficient warning for her to get ready!

Her mood is reflected in the first picture. After a few clicks and showing her the result, she gradually warmed up to the idea of this style of picture taking.

Basically, my setup is one Canon 580 EXII flash mounted with an umbrella in reflective mode on a stand connected to a Pocket Wizard.



First picture taken with the camera at ISO 400, 1/60 sec, f5 shooting at about 58mm.

The second was taken using my macro lens as it opens up to f2.8. Since I wanted to freeze the jump, blur (as much as possible) the background and decrease the ambient by increasing shutter speed to 1/100 sec I captured this exposure at f2.8 at 100mm while sticking at ISO 400.

The last picture was taken at f4.5 @ 1/80 sec using the 100mm macro lens. I intentionally put up this snap as it just shows the umbrella on the top left of the frame.

Overall, this exercise helped me build up my confidence in the strobist ways. I have since used the experience and knowledge gained to apply in my paid assignments. I hope to post some of them soon....

Ciao

Charles

A Drop In The Ocean

A long time coming...this image was taken in March of 2007 but didn't know how & where to post it. It was left forgotten in the dark recesses of my hard drive. Always thought that this was in interesting image.



So when this image showed up in one of my keyword searches in Adobe Lightroom, I decided to take this image on by the horns. Lightroom is a great program once you know how to manipulate the buttons. I have over 65,000 in my catalog and I can find just about any image within a few minutes. I just cannot imagine what photographers used prior to these advances. Anyways...I digress.



I like this picture and is the first attempt at a pseudo-artistic photo enhancement. Treated entirely in Lightroom, I wanted a sort of surreal look without loosing the authenticity of the image (whatever that means). This image consists of 2 versions. One is nearly black and white while the other has been desaturated a quite a bit and colours selectively added to certain elements.



So folks, please take a look at both the versions of the image and let me know which one appears stronger...basically which one is the keeper! Either way, I hope you like at least one of them. As normal, any critiques/comments/suggestions are welcome.

Additional Information: Photo taken in natural setting in Sandy Beach Motel in Fujairah (U.A.E.). Fujairah is weekend getaway destination and is about 1.5 hour drive from Dubai.

Oh...and by the way, here is the original

Charles

Finally, A Strike !

Hi Folks!

It started to rain here in the UAE. Many of you might be thinking...WTF? This guy seems like someone who hasn't seen rain before. Well, 'course I have seen rain before, but living in the Emirates, rain in any quantity is a reason to celebrate.

The morning was showing around 38 degrees. I think every one was basically in a foul mood...something to do with the onset of summer, coupled with the general dismal outlook on the global financial front. Come evening, there was the usual honking and screeching brakes on the nearby signal. I decided to take my evening (if 8pm is considered evening) walk.

I was pleasantly surprised by the overcast skies. I think that put a smile on my face. During my first lap around the park, I noticed flashes of light. Lightning?? Naah! A few minutes later.....another one...definitely lighting. At this point the streaks were not visible, but I could see the glows. The frequency and intensity were increasing. 'Let me finish my first lap', I thought to myself....it might go away....as unsettled weather does here in Dubai and Sharjah.

By end of the first round, it was still there. F**k the walk...I'm gonna go storm chasing. Well....not in the true Mid-Western US sense of the word, but more like a 'Hey...A perfect excuse not to finish my walk' sense of the word. So I decided to head back to the house. Pack my gear and head out. By gear, I mean, a tripod and camera. All excited at the thought of capturing my first lightning strike, I rushed out of my apartment only to discover a heavy downpour!

Not one to be deterred by foul weather I decided to go out for a drive in the rain....which as always is fun. Dubai & Sharjah have a well reputed clogged system (you might vaguely call it a drainage system) that allows paper boats and all manner of trash to float around for days. I love the puddles. The 4WD loves it. I mean, you have to only live here for a year to understand our love for water or basically, just wettness. I think it had started raining (heavily) for about 5 minutes now and already the 'little lakes' on or beside the roads were above ankle level.

Drove around a bit and decided to stop behind a local fish market. The rain decided to do the same. Great...now I could setup as originally planned. By now, of course, the streaks were taking on nature's true magnificence. I struggled to find a good composition for my FIRST LIGHTNING SHOT. This was something I had yearned to do for over a couple of years as a photographer, but either never got 'round to doing it and was lucky enough to capture on the sensor. Lightning or thunder storms come rarely in the UAE...much like it's sister - rain!

I setup the tripod and plopped my camera on it. I started clicking. I took several photographs of the scene. But each exposure revealed that I had just either missed the strikes or captured the glow of an internal streak. I was naturally quite disappointed. Decided to keep at it though. The rain was starting her second act.



Then I got one......My first picture of a lightning streak captured by my camera. I mean...not a great shot...but a small little trophy for me.

This next one is much better. It definitely shows a streak all the way down to the ground. This... I call my FIRST STRIKE! Not the best lightning picture I have seen....not even close to being good by my standards...but good enough for my first real attempt.

The weatherman says that it will continue to be unsettled over the next few days. I hope that it does and mother nature will give me a few more chances to dance in the rain and capture some beautifull lightning images.

Please let me know what you think and how I might be able to improve my shots.

Ciao

Charles

Originally posted at blog.charlesverghese.com on 2008-03-26 @ 05:01:41 pm (GMT +4)

An Addition To My Cap

I have decided to add modeling and fashion photography to the list of my abilities as I am gaining confidence and experience in this area. The initial reason that I got into photography was because I loved taking candid photographs of people in a wide variety of situations. Back in the day, I used a simple point-and-shoot (PNS) and the results were interesting and people liked the results.As soon as I took up photography as a profession (around 2005), I found that these simple pleasures were not as easy as it was with aPNS camera. The main reason being personal friends and family didn't and wouldn't care about the quality of the picture. In a professional environment, you have to look at where the focus is, wonder if the lighting is adequet for the scene or subject, if the model is properly covered, is the angle and expression the best, etc etc. The more you leave things to chance, the more you end up either re-shooting or spending dumbening (is that a word) number of hours on the computer trying to fix flaws.

I am in the process of uploading new model/fashion related images into my gallery on the website. I should have the 'People' section updated within this week. Please take a look at the pictures and welcome any constructive criticism to help improve my results. I have received a few comments on previous images but neglected to approve them in time. I hope to keep this in check from now on.

Ciao

Charles

My Strobist Post

Addressed to David Hobby of Strobist fame commenting on some negative feedback on his article/essay about offering free photography services

Hi David,

I have been an avid reader ever since I met (....well, actually saw you and heard you speaking while out in the corridor on the last day) you at the Gulf Photo Plus 2008 event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At the time, I had heard about and briefly gone over your site. Frankly, I didn't "get it" until I took Joe McNally's workshop. I actually showed up to the workshop with my 'strobes', which were actually a couple of portable studio lights in a large duffel bag. Only later did I realize that 'strobes' were actually the camera mounted flashes....Hmmm...No wonder Joe looked at me funny!!!

My eyes were opened by what could be done with strobes. I renewed my acquaintance with STROBIST, which then took on a whole new light. I learned a lot from your site (though haven't fully put this information to good use). I read everything you post as if I was just starting out in photography. I love the passion you put into this site and the reason you post.

With the exception of the last month or so, I have followed your posts and tutorials keenly (though silently...a lurker!). I felt that I wanted to learn as much as I could (and boy, have I) from the site before posting comments and interacting with the site & your readers. BUT, some of the comments on this post and from the other sites (you mentioned above) forced me out of lurking.

In my opinion, a lot of the negative comments come from readers who have either just read the title and or briefly skimmed over your post without fully understanding what you actually said.

My take on what you said is, to offer a 'free' service to the market....

- where you are 'creating' an interesting assignment for yourself, where one didn't exist before
- while pointing your photography business in the direction you want it to go
- in order to market yourself (or services)
- while expanding and/or diversifying your portfolio
- in which you control the shoot completely
- to make use of your down time (for whatever reason)
- all the while making it clear to your subject/client that the work CANNOT be used commercially without authorization
- to show your targets your artistic/technical prowess (interpreted thought)

AND (last but not least...)

- as you are a photographer and you love 'making photos' (i interpreted that one all by myself!)

So, I don't really think you are:

- simply offering to do an 'assignment' for FREE (not especially a commercial one)
- stealing another photographer's potential earning
- undermining the industry as this is something that YOU ARE CREATING for yourself

Maybe, I am a little too idealistic, but I think that some of us photographers (me included) have forgotten why we became one. Or maybe, just maybe, not realized the purity of what we are doing. Guys, I say, let your art/profession bring you your earnings. We are living in a dynamic world and if we start pointing fingers or become 'nay-sayers' we stand to loose our footing in the ground we gain as professionals.

I started out in photography because I loved to try and share my image of the subject I was capturing. Somewhere along the way I went commercial...a natural course, I'd say. Strobist has renewed my inspiration to share and give (while not being taken advantage of). Though I am have started earning a decent income in the UAE, you guys (David, Chase Jarvis and a few others) have opened my eyes to charity/volunteer work. I hope to shoot stuff that inspires me to the next level, helps the community/people/causes around me, try to become more 'human' and keep my love for photography growing.

One thing I would like to suggest is that you (the photographer) should clearly make known a list of your terms and/or conditions early on in the dealings. Hey David, maybe one of the things the post could result in is a list of points that a (any) photographer might need to cover if he/she would engage in this kind of work???

By the way, I just switched to full time photography in August this year though I was part-timing for over 3 years. While admitting I am a nobody in the photography world, I am not afraid of "free" photographers. I am no David Hobby, Chase Jarvis, Joe McNally or Vincent Laforet but I know that there are enough clients here (Dubai / Sharjah) to hire me because of what I can commercially offer them. I hope to earn even more doing the thing I love!

Photography

Thanks David for all you have done so far and wait to hear more from you.

Charles Verghese
Photographer
(Posted a copy of this on my own blog which I started a little while ago - blog.charlesverghese.com)

On My Own Again....

Guess it was just a matter of time... for me anyway.

At the end of July 2008, I finally quit my job as an Account Director of a small advertising agency in Sharjah, and ventured out into the unknown on my own...Well, not on my own exactly. I do have my wife to thank for. She has been constantly nagging pushing me to strive to higher goals (earning) and aspirations. And let me not forget to mention Mom who has helped out quite a bit in her own subtle (if not misconstrued) way. She who had brought me into this world...she who stood by me when 'others' labled me a "LOSER". Guess that's what moms are there for!

Also want to pen in a few others like the people at Gulf Photo Plus (courtesy of my last boss) who kicked me into the next level of this dream job. I was doing a mediocre job of being a freelance/part-time photographer, when these wonderful folks showed in an e-mail flyer and ..BOY did my world change.

I will now be operating as a (full time) professional photographer. I will need your wishes and support to succeed.

I have been either directly or indirectly been striving to reach this state for over 2 years now. Seems like a weight off of my shoulders only to realise that I am gropping around in the dark....not knowing what lieas ahead. But as my wife puts it...aim high, I aspire to every next level there is or will be in this wonderful roller coaster called LIFE!

Do check out my website which I plan on updating soon. AND do write in or post your comments. I would love to hear from any of you through e-mails or through posts on this blog.

2008-08-27
11:17:04 pm

Down Memory Lane

Down Memory Lane

Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
A dhow (traditional ocean going boat) with a Barajeel (wind tower) in the background. Image taken in the Dubai Heritage Village (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Light Shadows!

Light Shadows!

Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Shadow of one of the lamps in the Dubai Heritage Village in the United Arab Emirates. By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.

Forgotten Door

Forgotten Door

Originally uploaded by Raxons Rain (Charles Verghese)
Image of a (fake / decorative / ornamental) door at the Dubai Heritage Village in Shindhagah area od Dubai (United Arab Emirates). By the way, this is also my 1st Flickr upload!! Enjoy....comments and critiques welcome.2008-08-27
10:55:33 pm